plenum
- Thread starter cbl
- Start date
Henry Bowman
Reefing since '87
Much has been discussed on this. I believe if you search DSB / Plenum and or Anthony Calfo, you will find that a deep sand bed (DSB) alone at 4-5" is just as effective as a plenum. You can also look at www.wetwebmedia.com and search DSB to find extensive information and articles on the subject....I run DSB's on my aquaria with great success. I have considered a plenum but after researching the info decided on the DSB approach.
daytonians
New member
I believe that Funk and Wagner's would list the definition of plenum as:
PLENUM- An antiquated technique once used by the hobby aquariumist.
Seriously, I think they cause more harm that good, but that's just my opinion.
PLENUM- An antiquated technique once used by the hobby aquariumist.
Seriously, I think they cause more harm that good, but that's just my opinion.
CHAOSTACTICS
In Memoriam
also research remote deep sand bed
stugray
Premium Member
daytonians,
"I believe that Funk and Wagner's would list the definition of plenum as:
PLENUM- An antiquated technique once used by the hobby aquariumist.
Seriously, I think they cause more harm that good, but that's just my opinion."
Do some more research before making such generic & uninformed statements. There was basically no useful info in your commet.
Many on this forum have tried plenums ( including myself ),and have had no adverse effects. In fact GARF swears by them. Installation of a plenum can cause no harm, it is how it is used that can make a difference.
Stu
"I believe that Funk and Wagner's would list the definition of plenum as:
PLENUM- An antiquated technique once used by the hobby aquariumist.
Seriously, I think they cause more harm that good, but that's just my opinion."
Do some more research before making such generic & uninformed statements. There was basically no useful info in your commet.
Many on this forum have tried plenums ( including myself ),and have had no adverse effects. In fact GARF swears by them. Installation of a plenum can cause no harm, it is how it is used that can make a difference.
Stu
daytonians
New member
Hey,
Wasn't trying to start a flame war. Just giving my opinion. You can spend hours reading old posts about plenums. There's a lot of info available. Myself, after reading a lot, I suggest that people not waste the time.
There is no right way to do a reef tank. Some people choose to go bare bottom, some DSB, some plenum, etc. All can be made to work. For a simple answer though, most people on this forum would probably suggest going DSB.
Wasn't trying to start a flame war. Just giving my opinion. You can spend hours reading old posts about plenums. There's a lot of info available. Myself, after reading a lot, I suggest that people not waste the time.
There is no right way to do a reef tank. Some people choose to go bare bottom, some DSB, some plenum, etc. All can be made to work. For a simple answer though, most people on this forum would probably suggest going DSB.
stugray, thanks for your feedback......I have done alot of reading on plenums but personally have no exp. using one. I agree that it appears dependent upon how it is set up ect. I was interested in seeing if anyone out there is currently using one and for how long and what there personal exp has been......so thanks for your feedback and if you have any more sugg I'm all ears!!!!
ScottT1980
New member
Anecdotal:
Had a plenum up and running for 3 years on a 55. Never had any signs of problems that I could correlate to plenum use. Because of a move, I had to tear it down and was expecting to find some nasty, sulfur compounds below the plenum. I was surprised to find no stench and really no black sludge. I also had a large refugium and adequate skimmer associated with the system and a fairly deep (5-7"), mixed particle size substrate (CaCO3) on top. I could grow the heck out of softies and SPS alike (I did drip kalk as my auto topoff)
So, who knows what contributed to the success of the system, probably all of the above along with consistent water changes. To be honest, I think on a macroscopic level, over a 3-4 year period, it would be hard to differentiate success between many of the husbandry styles utilized. In other words, they all work as long as you recognize and compensate for their limitations.
A couple of pesos...
Take er easy
Scott T.
Had a plenum up and running for 3 years on a 55. Never had any signs of problems that I could correlate to plenum use. Because of a move, I had to tear it down and was expecting to find some nasty, sulfur compounds below the plenum. I was surprised to find no stench and really no black sludge. I also had a large refugium and adequate skimmer associated with the system and a fairly deep (5-7"), mixed particle size substrate (CaCO3) on top. I could grow the heck out of softies and SPS alike (I did drip kalk as my auto topoff)
So, who knows what contributed to the success of the system, probably all of the above along with consistent water changes. To be honest, I think on a macroscopic level, over a 3-4 year period, it would be hard to differentiate success between many of the husbandry styles utilized. In other words, they all work as long as you recognize and compensate for their limitations.
A couple of pesos...
Take er easy
Scott T.
GARFVolunteer
Premium Member
I have always been a fan of plenums. IMO there is only one downside and that is they make an ugly sand bed. I have a great fix for that... remote the plenum in the sump or a refugium.
A plenum is a great filter that has proven long term success. I do not know of a single, properly set up plenum that has failed. In 2003, Dr Jaubert had a 17 year old plenum system that had not had a water change for the last 5 years... My plenum was 7 years old when I moved it to the sump of my new tank. GARF has plenums over 12 years old. I have many friends with plenums over 9 years old...
If I was setting up a new tank, I would not hesitate to install a plenum. It may be considered old technology but it has been proven.
In the 90s bare bottom was the rage then they went out of favor. Now BB is becoming popular again. The plenum will rise again!!!
Thanks,
Scott
Thanks,
Scott
A plenum is a great filter that has proven long term success. I do not know of a single, properly set up plenum that has failed. In 2003, Dr Jaubert had a 17 year old plenum system that had not had a water change for the last 5 years... My plenum was 7 years old when I moved it to the sump of my new tank. GARF has plenums over 12 years old. I have many friends with plenums over 9 years old...
If I was setting up a new tank, I would not hesitate to install a plenum. It may be considered old technology but it has been proven.
In the 90s bare bottom was the rage then they went out of favor. Now BB is becoming popular again. The plenum will rise again!!!
Thanks,
Scott
Thanks,
Scott
I've had plenum set up's running for years with no problems, I've also run DSB's with no plenum for years with no problems. The results between tanks with plenum and DSB without plenum have been no different in terms of care and animal health. However, the DSB without a plenum is easier to set up, so IME why bother with a plenmum 
scotts & bill, thanks for the feed back!!!!!!! I just picked up the substrate today for my planned plenum ( in sump set up, approx 250 gallon sump) for a 540 gallon tank. Bill, you pose an interesting ? it would def be easier to set up dsb vs plenum. perhaps one issue would be the plenums poss longevity vs dsb. (I'm no expert on dsb, how long has this been used for?) I'd be interested to hear some debates on this. thanks again for the feedback!!!!!
hey garf, any feed back,recs and tips on setting this up????I am planning on using pvc with drilled holes, half inch eggcrate (total height approx 1-1.5 in) use some common window screen(1-2) layers place 2in reef sand(approx 2-4 mm size) on top followed by 2 more in. don't probably need a dividing screen layer because it is in sump and not in tank. any thoughts on outlet bulkhead positioning????? should I place it up high above the plenum or down lower at the level of the top to help draw water thru???? does it matter????? also what type of flow should I shoot for??? tank size turned out to be 475 gallons and I have a 150 gallon rubber maid for the sump. any thoughts????????
GARFVolunteer
Premium Member
cbl,
This is the calculator I created and use when I set them up: http://www.idahoreefs.org/ReefCalculator/Plenum.asp
I don't think the bulkhead position would make a big difference but I would keep it low personally.
I would get as much flow as posible through the sump. I have around 700ghp but wish I had more. Unfortunately the overflow can't handle much more.
On thing I did in my sump, was add raceways so the water flow has to cover the entire plenum. Here is what mine looks like:
Thanks,
Scott
This is the calculator I created and use when I set them up: http://www.idahoreefs.org/ReefCalculator/Plenum.asp
I don't think the bulkhead position would make a big difference but I would keep it low personally.
I would get as much flow as posible through the sump. I have around 700ghp but wish I had more. Unfortunately the overflow can't handle much more.
On thing I did in my sump, was add raceways so the water flow has to cover the entire plenum. Here is what mine looks like:
Thanks,
Scott
scott, thank you for the info...awesome looking plenum set up//I like the raceways and combo refuge. The calculator you set up and floor plan helps a bunch. Thanks for taking the time and effort to do that.......Its people like you and your efforts that keep people interested and excited about this industry. thanks for sharing your ideas and thoughts!!!!!!!! cbl
jumpincactus
New member
For the plenum controversy, and someone also asked about anyone that has had good results with plenums here is a great link,pics of a very successful tank with LPS/SPS ,and get this run with only 4 T5's and no skimmer!!
Has been running for years. Get a gander over the coloration and health of the corals. Sort of shoots down the theory that MH or extreme amounts of wattage are necassary for a healthy tank.Also makes me begin to wonder if such a beatiful tank can be kept with out all the expensive equipment how much of this hobby is driven by capitalism. I am in awe of this sytem. Come with instructions on how to construct one. Enjoy!!! http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/2/aquarium
Has been running for years. Get a gander over the coloration and health of the corals. Sort of shoots down the theory that MH or extreme amounts of wattage are necassary for a healthy tank.Also makes me begin to wonder if such a beatiful tank can be kept with out all the expensive equipment how much of this hobby is driven by capitalism. I am in awe of this sytem. Come with instructions on how to construct one. Enjoy!!! http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/2/aquarium
jumpincactus,,,, thanks for the link....what an awesome tank..and talk about simple!!!!!!!! I'm in process of setting up a 475 with 3 (21") solatubes run into a 150 gallon rubbermaid plenum. that tank in the link really makes one question the need for all of our sophisticated equipment nowa days....Wonder if I should return that 6 foot skimmer?????????????????????I'm sure they would take it back.. (right) thanks for the info!!!
